Combined spark-plug and vaporizer for internal-combustion engines.



J. G. HENDERSON.

COMBINED SPARK PLUG AND VAPORIZER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 21, 1914.

1,099,365, Patented June 9,1914.

-Spark6ap Circuit-- l Heafer C'LrcuL C 5a Ei: I'Z 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

JOHN C. HENDERSON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF (IOLUMBIA.

COMBINED SPARK-PLUGAND varomznn ron mrmmarr'comausrion enemas.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN G. HENDERSON, a citizen of the United States of America,

residing at \Vashington, in the District of.

cylinder walls, thus rendering it diflicult to.

ignite the charge. In order to obviate this difficulty I heat the fuel charge to a highly volatile state at the point of ignition during the period of starting the engine.

The objectof my invention is to improve the starting 0f,an internal combustion engine by bringing the fuel admitted to the cylinder of said engine to a high point of vaporization; that is, the fuel that is to be utilized in the engine cylinder may be vaporized or supervaporized according to the state it may be in when admitted to said cylinder.

A further object of my invention is to provide a unitary structure consisting of a spark plug and an electrically heated vaporizer that can be placed without change in the standard spark plug opening of the cylinder of a gas engine, thus eliminating any machine work or special skill on the part of the user.

The present invention consists in a spark plug provided with an electrically heated vaporizing coil in close proximity to the sparking electrodes for the purpose of raising the temperature of the fuel in proximity to said electrodes. The fuel in the vicinity of the spark plug will thus be in a highly volatile state at the point of ignition when the are stream is passing between the electrodes for the purpose of exploding the charge of gaseous fuel. As soon as the engine has fairly started, the current can be cut off from the electrically heated vaporizing coil. However, no harm will result should the coil be permitted to remain permanently in circuit, but this is not con Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 21, 1914. Serial No. 813,467.

Patented unee, 1914.

sidered necessary. In extremely -cold weather it has, however, beenifoundadvisable to permit the vaporizer coil to remain in circuit with the engine running, until the engine parts have been heated sufficiently to carry on the work that the vaporizer has started.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention will be definitely indicated in the claims appended hereto; the-features of construction and mode of operation will be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with'the accompanying drawing, which shows the preferred embodiment of my invention in longitudinal cross section, and in which 1 represents a standard spark plug-nipple;- 2 denotes a nut for holding the procelain plug 3 in the nipple 1. Between the plug 3 and the shoulder 4 of the nipple 1 is a packingwasher 5 of heat resisting material such as asbestos, that acts as a cushion to prevent the fracturing of the plug when forced into place by nut 2.

The porcelain plug 3 is pierced its entire length for the. reception of the electrode 6, that is provided at its uppermost end with a terminal 7. The nipple 1 at its lower end is provided with an electrode 8, thus forming with the electrode (3, the standard jump spark gap.

Theheater or vaporizer is mounted upon the lower end of the porcelain body 3 and in close proximity to the jump spark electrodes 6 and 8, and consists of an electrically heated coil 9 of high resistance wire, embedded in the porcelain body 3 or enameled upon the surface thereof with porcelain enamel. The object. of this is to prevent theproducts of combustion from the ignition of the motive fluid that may lodge or accumulate thereon from short circuiting or reducing the resistance of the heating element. One end of the coil is secured to the electrode 6, while the other end 11 is carried through an opening 12 in the body of the porcelain lug 3. This end of the heating coil is socured to the two part terminal clamp 13.

The heating circuit comprises the source of supply (not shown), the switch 14, terminal 7. electrode 6, heating coil 9, terminal 13. back to the source of supply.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the article which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the article showiris merely illustrative, and that the invcnti6n can be carried outby other equivalent means.

\Vliat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A combined spark plug and fuel vaporizer, comprising the combination of a frame, an insulating plug, a pair of electrodes, and an electrically heated vaporizer mounted in proximity to the electrodes.

2. A combined spark plug and fuel vaporizer, comprising the combination of a frame, an insulating plug, a pair of electrodes, and an electrically heated vaporizer carried by the frame and in proximity'to the electrodes.

3. A combined spark plug and fuel va-.. porizcr, comprising the combination of a frame, an insulating plug, a pair of electrodes, and an electrically heated vaporizer I mounted on the insulating plug in proximity to the electrodes.

4. A combined spark plug and fuel vaporizer, comprising the combination of a frame, an insulating plug, a pair of electrodes, and an electrically heated vaporizer mounted on the end of the insulating plug in proximity to the electrodes, and covered with a vitreous enamel. A

5. A combined spark plug and fuel vaporizer, comprising the combination of a JOHN C. HENDERSON.

Witnesses:

P. H. HILL, E. H. Cow.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. 0." 

